George Preston Ellington

George Preston Ellington, 88, of Abilene, Texas passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, February 26 at Resthaven Cemetery in Lubbock with Michael Wright of Fellowship Baptist Liberty Hill officiating. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. George was born in Brownfield, Texas, March 21, 1921 to Millard and Eva Harris Ellington. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1938 and enrolled at Texas Tech University as an Agriculture Major. While in his second year at Tech he met the love of his life, Mary Pearl (Jackie) Wossum. They married June 21, 1940. George joined the 78th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force in 1942 and was stationed in Duxford, England. He retired in 1976 from the US Army. He was a Christian man who loved and gave endlessly without asking anything in return. To his grandchildren he was their "safe place". All they had to do was go see Grandpa or call Grandpa and all would be right with the world. He is such an inspiration; his politeness and manners were to be admired. He was so strong, yet so gentle all at the same time. He will be missed but we know he fought the good fight, he missed his beloved, and he was ready to go home. Thanks for stopping by, Grandpa. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary (Jackie) Wossum Ellington; his parents, Millard and Eva Harris Ellington; and a granddaughter, Andrea (Andi) Ellington Basile. He is survived by one sister, Frances Mangan of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two sons, George P. Ellington Jr. and wife Barbara of Nathrop Colorado; Robert G. Ellington of Hondo, Texas. Eight grandchildren- Serena and husband Mike Tatich of Bremen, Indiana, Suzy and husband Derek Mathis of Georgetown, Texas; Keith and wife Nikki Farris of Pearland, Texas; Denise and husband Jr. Hagler of Abilene, Texas; Cristina and husband Michael Wright of Liberty Hill, Texas; Brian Ellington of Corpus Christi, Texas; Lance and wife Tammie Ellington of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and Amy and husband Randy Ramirez of Corpus Christi, Texas; 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. The family would like to thank Dr. David Longley, Dr. Cory Brown, Dr. Tim Bumann, Dr. Dale Funk and the nurses at Hendrick Medical Center for their kindness and wonderful care. In lieu of flowers- Cal Farley Boys Ranch , PO Box 1890, Amarillo, TX, 79174 or Hendrick Hospice Care, PO Box 1922, Abilene, TX 79604.